Rey's Top Surgery - Pay it Forward
Donation protected
Dear friends and family,
My name is Gabriela and I am working with a group of beautiful people to support my friend Rey Ursery cover the cost of top surgery and post-op recovery.
I’ve known Rey since I took his workshop at the first ever Queer Latin Dance Festival. Since then, he’s become, not only my dance instructor, but a friend and part of my chosen family.
As we settle into the new year, we are asking you to support this next phase of life transitions for our dear friend Rey.
Rey is a 28-year old QPOC of trans(male) experience. He’s an Audio Visual professional, Latin dance instructor, spiritual work-in-progress, and a Marine Corps veteran from Indiana.
When I approached Rey about supporting his efforts to raise funds for surgery, his immediate reaction was not to accept my offer. He felt uncomfortable accepting this type of support. I don’t think he’s alone in feeling this way. Until I became a mother, I very rarely asked for help. I understand now that asking for, receiving, and giving support are all part of a larger cycle of life and interdependence. That’s why we are setting our sights higher than just funding Rey’s surgery. We’re hoping to raise enough funds to provide two small starter grants for two additional young trans/gnc people to jump start their own fundraising efforts.
[Vicky and Rey]
Will you join me and our fundraising team to get Rey to where he needs to be AND help us pay it forward?
Here is how the funds will be allocated:
Surgeon’s fees: $8,000
Anesthesiologist: $2,275
Travel costs for Rey and his partner, Vicky: $825
Lodging (10 nights): $650
Sub-total: $11,750
2 seed grants @ $2,500 each $5,000
TOTAL $16,750
Make a one-time donation here at gofundme.
Consider making a monthly donation here (there will be perks!): https://www.patreon.com/HippieBachatero
You can also donate through Venmo @ReyUrsery
We're hoping to send Rey off for surgery by July.
Look out for updates, including an opportunity to come celebrate Rey’s birthday with us in April!
[Rey and his parents]
Thank you so much for your support <3
More about our fundraising team:
Vicky Vazquez: Boricua queer overly emotional femme with a need to help others. Dance is therapy, music is life, amateur home cook/chef. Rey and I crashed in to each other's lives through dance and our story has been one of immense love, hard growth, endless support, tons of patience, and entirely too much laughter.
Gabriela Sandoval: I’m an energy policy nerd on a mission to #EndShutoffs in California. I’m also a recovering academic, bachaterx, queer Xicana, single mom by choice.
Yael Martinez: I work in perinatal health. I am a queer, immigrant, single mom, dancer, and artist living in Oakland, CA. I met Rey through In Lak’ech Dance Academy. He’s been my dance teacher throughout this past year and has become a close friend.
Sabrina Jimenez: Salserx, Bachaterx, Maestrx, Dog mom, teacher, queer Xicana femme.
[Vicky, Rey, Leo, Yael, and Sonia]
My name is Gabriela and I am working with a group of beautiful people to support my friend Rey Ursery cover the cost of top surgery and post-op recovery.
I’ve known Rey since I took his workshop at the first ever Queer Latin Dance Festival. Since then, he’s become, not only my dance instructor, but a friend and part of my chosen family.
As we settle into the new year, we are asking you to support this next phase of life transitions for our dear friend Rey.
Rey is a 28-year old QPOC of trans(male) experience. He’s an Audio Visual professional, Latin dance instructor, spiritual work-in-progress, and a Marine Corps veteran from Indiana.
When I approached Rey about supporting his efforts to raise funds for surgery, his immediate reaction was not to accept my offer. He felt uncomfortable accepting this type of support. I don’t think he’s alone in feeling this way. Until I became a mother, I very rarely asked for help. I understand now that asking for, receiving, and giving support are all part of a larger cycle of life and interdependence. That’s why we are setting our sights higher than just funding Rey’s surgery. We’re hoping to raise enough funds to provide two small starter grants for two additional young trans/gnc people to jump start their own fundraising efforts.
[Vicky and Rey]Will you join me and our fundraising team to get Rey to where he needs to be AND help us pay it forward?
Here is how the funds will be allocated:
Surgeon’s fees: $8,000
Anesthesiologist: $2,275
Travel costs for Rey and his partner, Vicky: $825
Lodging (10 nights): $650
Sub-total: $11,750
2 seed grants @ $2,500 each $5,000
TOTAL $16,750
Make a one-time donation here at gofundme.
Consider making a monthly donation here (there will be perks!): https://www.patreon.com/HippieBachatero
You can also donate through Venmo @ReyUrsery
We're hoping to send Rey off for surgery by July.
Look out for updates, including an opportunity to come celebrate Rey’s birthday with us in April!
[Rey and his parents]Thank you so much for your support <3
More about our fundraising team:
Vicky Vazquez: Boricua queer overly emotional femme with a need to help others. Dance is therapy, music is life, amateur home cook/chef. Rey and I crashed in to each other's lives through dance and our story has been one of immense love, hard growth, endless support, tons of patience, and entirely too much laughter.
Gabriela Sandoval: I’m an energy policy nerd on a mission to #EndShutoffs in California. I’m also a recovering academic, bachaterx, queer Xicana, single mom by choice.
Yael Martinez: I work in perinatal health. I am a queer, immigrant, single mom, dancer, and artist living in Oakland, CA. I met Rey through In Lak’ech Dance Academy. He’s been my dance teacher throughout this past year and has become a close friend.
Sabrina Jimenez: Salserx, Bachaterx, Maestrx, Dog mom, teacher, queer Xicana femme.
[Vicky, Rey, Leo, Yael, and Sonia]Co-organizers (2)
Gabriela Sandoval
Organizer
Oakland, CA
Rey Ursery
Co-organizer